R.I.P., Saggy Tahir: Self-made American

October 20. 2013 6:21PMIn his native Pakistan, Saggy Tahir was an engineer. When he moved to the United States in 1972 he could not get work in his field. So he worked a string of blue-collar jobs, whatever he could find. Six years later he became an American citizen and started his own business.

Tahir transformed himself from an immigrant waiter into a construction consultant, store and restaurant owner and real estate investor. He ran for the state House of Representatives from Manchester’s Ward 2 and got elected — five times. He had 10 terms in the State House, a successful business career, a loving family and a list of non-profits he supported with energy and affection. Those are accomplishments many native-born Americans never manage to achieve.

Last Wednesday Saggy Tahir died of a heart attack. He was 68. He had years of giving left to do.

Tahir was the kind of person any community would be lucky to have. In Manchester, his leadership and kindness will be missed for many years to come. R.I.P.